Narrative: e. 3.

Quality
VR is committed to providing quality SE services to individuals with the most significant disabilities. VR supports the individual in making employment choices consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and interests. The scope of services varies based on the amount, intensity and support needed by each individual.

VR counselors work in partnership with the individual when developing the IPE. This plan guides the services and supports that are needed for that individual. The IPE is evaluated throughout the process and updated as needed.

The quality of SE outcomes is assessed individually. Each individual with a disability receives individualized services, based on their specific needs. A key component of evaluating the service is the individual’s satisfaction with the services and support, as well as a successful employment outcome.

VR makes every effort to provide opportunities for individuals to provide their feedback on the services they received from VR. This feedback is useful for adjusting and improving vocational rehabilitation services to better meet their needs. Feedback is gathered using formal service surveys, public hearings, and satisfaction surveys. The VR counselor has regular communications with the individual and the SE provider to monitor, provide counseling and assist the individual, as needed.

VR recognizes that it is important to get feedback from the employer and provider’s perspectives to determine the quality of service and make necessary improvements. Employers and providers are encouraged to let VR know if support is needed at any time.

Scope
The scope of SE services varies based on the amount, intensity and type of support each person may need to obtain and maintain a job. VR provides the intensive initial services needed to help an individual with a most significant disability obtain and maintain a job of their choice.

Many individuals with the most significant disabilities traditionally do not participate in competitive, integrated employment because of the severity of their disability and the need for ongoing supports to maintain their jobs. SE assists in providing competitive integrated employment for more individuals with the most significant disabilities.

Service limits have recently been increased from 18 months to 24 months. Under special circumstances, the participant and VR counselor may jointly agree in writing to extend the time, in order to achieve the employment outcome identified in the IPE.

Services are individually designed around the needs and desires of the individual and may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Initial placement.
• Stabilization in the workplace.
• Job coaching.
• Assistive technology.
• Specialized Job Training.
• Social Skills Training.
• Discovery Customized Service.
• Customized Employment.
• Supported Self-Employment.
• IPS.

VR offers Discovery Customized Service as a service option for individuals with the most significant and complex disabilities who may need a more customized approach to employment. Discovery is considered the first step in Customized Employment and offers a strengths-based, thorough person-centered approach to employment planning.

VR also offers Customized Employment services for individuals with most significant disabilities who may need a more individualized job development process. Customized Employment focuses on negotiating novel job placement opportunities that meet the needs of both the job seeker and the employer.

Extent
VR will continue to expand SE services by educating community members, providers and relevant stakeholders on the need and advantages that SE provides for individuals and employers. SE services are available for individuals with the most significant needs who are expected to require ongoing support to maintain employment.

VR also plans to expand access to SE services by including a new SE model called ArtCIE. The ArtCIE initiative will create an innovative model that assists individuals with disabilities currently employed in, or contemplating, subminimum wage employment to move towards competitive integrated employment outcomes in the field of Arts, Entertainment and Recreation.

VR is also working closely with DCF, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to expand access to evidence-based models of SE for individuals with mental health conditions (e.g., IPS).

Additionally, VR has increased its focus on youth and expanded its Transition Youth services to begin at age fourteen. VR has also increased several initiatives designed for youth with the most significant disabilities.

The following experiences are anticipated to help youth in their desire to have a successful career:
• High School High Tech.
• Project Search.
• Inclusive Postsecondary Education programs.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
The VR Transition Youth program collaborates with education officials and partners to offer students with the most significant disabilities opportunities to gain work experiences that help them prepare for successful employment. These evidence-based applications of learning, which include internships and other work experiences, often lead to successful employment.

VR also provides, when necessary, the opportunity for youth to receive up to four years of extended services funded through VR. This is the only situation where VR is permitted to provide extended services.

VR will continue to actively engage and partner in order to:
• Continue to collaborate with APD specific to SE and removing or reducing barriers for employment for individuals with significant disabilities.
• Continue to implement the Employment First Agreements at the local and state level with appropriate stakeholders.
• Maximize the quality-of-service delivery ensuring an efficient and effective referral process, individual program planning and coordination of intensive vocational services with extended services available for youth and adults.
• Expand available services through youth-related initiatives.
• Seek additional resources for extended services through collaborations with agency partners, including APD, AHCA, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Department of Education and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with community organizations, employers, families and support groups to develop natural support for SE extended services.
• Distribute information and train counselors about Social Security Work Incentives.
• Increase awareness of using a Plan for Achieving Self-Sufficiency or other work incentives as an option for funding extended services. Include training on the new Able Act that allows eligible individuals with disabilities to create tax-free savings and investment accounts which can fund disability expenses that supplement benefits available through other sources.
• Provide opportunities for counselors, providers and support coordinators to receive training on innovative employment strategies designed to promote employment success for individuals.

Extended Services
VR’s approach for SE uses the nationally accepted “best practice” models of SE services and has added new customized strategies as well. The key to the approach is an emphasis on person-centered planning and the facilitation of natural supports.

Individualized job development is conducted and based on job-matching assessments, informed choice, strengths, interests and skills. Individuals are assisted with employment planning and placement by selected providers. Job skills training is provided at the job site either by job coaches or through natural supports of existing resources.

Transition to Extended Services occurs when an individual has sufficient time to learn the tasks and is comfortable in the work environment, has their support needs addressed, and is satisfied with the type of work and work hours. This transition typically occurs at least 90 days after job placement and after at least 60 days of stabilized employment. At the time of transition, the counselor, providers, individual and others, as applicable, agree that the individual is stable in employment and expected to succeed. VR counselors confirm this information with the individual, provider and employer. Counselors continue to monitor the case until the person reaches a successful employment outcome of a minimum of 90 days of stabilized employment after transitioning to extended services.

VR continues to:
• Collaborate with community organizations, families, and support groups to develop support as an option for assisting participants on the job site.
• Participate in interagency committees to expand initiatives and increase employment outcomes.
• Seek additional resources for extended services in collaboration with VR partners.
• Emphasize providing services to all individuals with disabilities, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sex, consistent with federal civil rights laws.
• Distribute and provide technical assistance to counselors on the use of Social Security Work Incentives to help with funding extended services.

Extended services are provided and/or funded by sources other than VR. VR works collaboratively with other state agencies and organizations to ensure that extended support services, identified on the individualized plan as needed for employment, are available for as long as the participant needs them.

A program administrator serves as a statewide coordinator who monitors SE issues that arise in the field and serves as a resource person to field staff. The coordinator also assists leadership when implementing programmatic policies in accordance with federal mandates, developing effective programs, recommending training for SE staff and other liaison duties, objective as requested.